About St Mary’s
CJ and Mary Ward
Congregation of Jesus
St Mary’s school is one of many schools founded by the CJ, IBVM or Loreto Sisters. The Congregation of Jesus (formerly known as the IBVM) was founded by a remarkable woman: Mary Ward (1585-1645). Each year, we celebrate Mary Ward Day (on or around 29th January) with a school mass.
CJ: A 400 Year Hope Fulfilled
The Sisters of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, founded by the Yorkshirewoman Mary Ward, have received permission from the Vatican to change their name to the Congregation of Jesus, after waiting nearly 400 years. Mary Ward founded a pioneering religious order for women in 1609, after the model of the Society of Jesus, yet independent from it. The name of Jesus expressed the identity and charism of this new venture for women in the history of the Church. Neither the name nor the role for women were acceptable in her day, and the group she founded was suppressed in 1631, Mary Ward herself being imprisoned for heresy.
Despite the spread of the order, it never had an official name until the 19th century, being known by friends as ‘English Ladies’ or the ‘Institute of Mary’ and by enemies as ‘Jesuitesses’ or ‘Galloping Girls’. The Irish and North American branches of the order amalgamated last year under the name IBVM Loreto. In 2003 the Roman branch of Mary Ward’s Institute adopted the full text of the Jesuit Constitutions, and with them the name of Jesus, at last fulfilling the vision of Mary Ward. [More...]
CJ / IBVM / Loreto Sisters
Vocation
If you would like to learn more about the CJ, IBVM or Loreto Sisters, please explore some of the links below:
The Congregation of Jesus
The Bar Convent, York
Catholic Encyclopedia: Institute of Mary
Catholic Encyclopedia: Irish Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Congregation of Jesus (IBVM ‘Roman Branch’)
IBVM North America
Loreto On–line: IBVM Australia
Loreto Sisters, Ireland
Loreto Sisters, South Africa
Loreto Sisters (IBVM)
Loreto Sisters IBVM
Frances Teresa Ball
Frances Mary Teresa Ball
Mary Gonzaga Barry (1)
Mary Gonzaga Barry (2)
Mary Ward discussion group (Yahoo)
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